Form-fitting boot and method of making same



' y l930- I L. AN DIN'VI'ER ET AL 1,771,277

FORM FITTING BOOT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed June 17, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 'l f j I "mnw lax/em 0L Geo/9'6 L. Vmzizh??? 9 0 a [rreZZz July 22, 1930. G. L. VAN DINTER El AL 1,771,277

FOR" FITTING BOOT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed June 1'7, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JuIy ZZ, 1930. s. L. VAN DINTER El L I FORM FITTING BOOT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed June 17, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventors Georyel; 142 230 a/vad frraifle.

G. L. VAN DINTER ET AL 1,771,277

FORM FITTING wiao'bT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME July 22, 1930.

, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet (1 Filed June 17 Int/eh or;

Patented July 22, 1930 7 UNI ED STATES PATENTOFFICE GEORGE L. VAN nrirrnnnnn oonnnn nnnnnrrrnor MISHAWAKA, mam, as-

SIGNO RS T0 MISHAWAKA RUBBER AND WOOLEN MANUFACTURING MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, A CORPQRATION OF INDIANA COMPANY, OF

FORM-FITTING BOOT nn METHOD or AKING sAiun Application filed June 1-7,

Our invention relates to high top footwear or boots, such as shown in our Patent 1,726,782, which are of form fitting construction with an expansible folded section at the ankle and instep permitting enlargement for inserting and removing the foot and our present invention has reference more, particularly to thcconstruction and location of the pocket member and the shaping, strengthening and waterproofing of the boot at the expansible section.

In manufacturing rubber boots of the form fitting type with an expansiblefolded construction at the instep and ankle it is inrportant to minimize the thickness and shape the structure in a neat, compact, close-titting form not only for the sake of appeartime but also because of the constant flexing which occurs at thisplace when the boot-is in use. More-over, it is desirable to reinforce the expansible structure so that-it will main tain its shape and withstand this flexing, and also the manipulation of folding and unfolding in applying and removing the boot, over a long period of time without breaking down and furthermore the expansible portion should be constructed or built up in such'a manner that it is thoroughly and permanent- 1y sealed against leakage orpenetration of moisture to the interior of the boot.

The principal objects of our invention are to provide an improved form fitting boot; to insure aneat, compact and close-fitting expansible structure at the ankle and instep which permitsenlargement for applying and removing the boot; to provide a closing pocket at this place which is formed in a manner to readily assume the desired shape without distortion or stretching; to reinforce and strengthen the e'xpansible struc ture so that it will withstand constant hard usage without breaking down; to thoroughly seal the expansible portion against leakage or entry of moisture therethrough to the interiorof the boot; to provide the wall of the boot and the expansible folding portion thereof with a continuous unbroken layer of rubber composition between the interior and exterior of the boot; to insure extrastrengthening of said layer of rubber composition where the strains-in opening and closing the pocket are greatest; to provide an improved method of building a waterproof expansible structuremto the front of a rubber boot; and

in general to improve the. appearance, serv iceability and waterproofing of a form fitting rubber boot.

On the drawing:

1 is a perspective view of a boot constructed in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the lining assembled on the last ready for the i applying of the pocket structure, the upper part of. the last and lining beingbroken away; i 1

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the pocket portions comprising the front wall of the i 4 pocket;

Fig. 8 is a front view of the pocket ready for building into the boot;

Fig. 9 is aback view thereof;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the toe covering of the boot, the side extensions thereof being broken away;

Fig. 11 is a plan view, looking at the inner side thereof, of one of the side coverings or quarters of the boot with the upper portion thereof broken away; p

. F ig.s12 is an enlarged transverse section through the pocket of the boot taken substantially on the line 12-12 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a similar viewtaken substantially onthe line 13-13of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 14: is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the upper end of the pocket taken substantially on the line 14- 1% of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 15 is a similar view of the lower end of the pocket taken substantially on the line 15-15 of Fig.1.

Referring to the drawings, in, Fig. 1 0t which our invention is shown in connection with a boot of knee length although not limited thereto, the reference numeral 1ndicates the boot as a whole which is divided along the line21 over the ankle and instep to form a pair of separable flaps 22 and 23 which are detachably connected in the closed position bv buckles 24 of a well known form. Any other suitable type of fastening devices may however, be employed. The flaps and 2a are flared at their lower ends as indicated at 25 and 26 respectively forming a Blucher type of opening and thevamp of the boot has an extension 27 under the flaps 22 and 23 and secured at its upper end to the front wall of the boot just above the upper end of the opening 21, and said extension has a flap 28 and .29 respectively on each lateral edge extending inwardly thereover to the dividing line21 and secured to the inner edge of the respect ve overlying flap 22 or 23. Thus vamp extension 27 and its side flaps 28 and 29 form in effect an elongated somewhat elliptical pouch or pocket which is slit down the front and closes the opening between the flaps 22 and 23, but permits separation of the boot flaps and enlargement of the boot at the ankle and instep for freely inserting and removing the foot. In the closed positionthis pocket or pouch and the boot flaps 22 and 23 fold together in a flat, compact form corresponding to thesh ape of the ankle and instep and the expansible structure is held in this closed compact form by the buckles 24 which connect the boot flaps 22 and 23 at suitably spaced intervals.

In making up a rubber boot W1l3l'1 tlllS expansible ankle and instep construction, it is highly desirable to provide ample precaution against penetration of water or moisture to the interior of the boot,-to reinforce the places where greatest strainsoccur so that they will not break down or give way in constant use and at the same time to maintain a compact, neat appearing, form fitting effect, all ofwhich we have found may be successful- 1y accomplished by constructing the boot in the following manner The boot lining, preferably composed of a air of similar half sections or quarters 30 and 31 jointed. together along their forward edges by a tape 32, is stretched around the last 33. secured together at theback and lasted over and secured to the edge of an inner sole memher in the usual manner. A vamp 34 of rubber composition is then fitted over the toe and adhesively secured to the lining with the edges also lasted over the edge of the inner sole member and the structure (shown in Fig. 2) is then ready for the expansion pocket to be applied thereto. I

This pocket is preferably made up separately and thereafter applied to the aforesaid lining structure and comprises a back wall which consists of the vamp extension 27 of Fig. 6 and a divided front wall comprising the two pocket flaps 28 and 29. The back wall 27 is preferably made up of left and right half sections 35 and 36, which are overlapped and secured together along a center line, said half sections being lune shaped or curved somewhat in the manner of the half section 35 shown in Fig. 4 so that they assemble in a shape to conform to the surface of the last over which the pocket is to be located.

Each half section 35 and 36 is of two-ply construction, comprising a layer 37 of fabric on the underside and an outer layer 38 of rubber composition, adhesively secured together, the inner edges of the rubber layers 38 being extended beyond the corresponding edges of the fabric layers 37 as indicated at 39, and particularly on the outside overlapping section 35, so that there is a rubber to rubber engagement of the edge 39 of the section 35 with the rubber facing 38 of the section 36 which in the vulcanization of the boot is consolidated intointegral form and provides a joint which is thoroughly sealed and prevents admission of water or moisture along the juncture line gf the sections 35 and 36 to the interior of the oot.

The pocket flaps 28 and 29 which have curved lower ends 40 and 41 respectively to correspond to the curved edges 25 and 26 of the boot flaps 23 and 24, are alike in construction, except that one is right hand and the other left hand. both being lune shaped or curved like the back wall sections 35 and 36 to conform to the shape of the last as shown in Fig. 7 which illustrates the left hand flap 28. Each flap 28 and 29 comprises layer 42 of fabric which has a layer 43 of rubber composition adhesively secured to the under side and with a projecting edge 44 of-rubber composition along the inner edge of the fabric 42 as indicated in Fig. 7. The outer edges of the fabric and rubber layers 42 and 43 preferably coincide as shown in Fig. 7. A strip 45 of rubber composition is laid over and adhesively secured to the fabric 42 as shown in Fig. 7 after which the extended edge 44 of the rubber layer 43 is turned thereover as indicated at 46 to finish the inner edge of the pocket flap, said rubber strip 45 being extended beyond the pocket flap as shown at 47 to afford a projecting tab for a purpose hereinafter explained. The portion of the outer surface of the fabric layer 42 which is not covered by the rubber strip 45 is covered with a piece 48 of fabric which is adhesively secured to the fabric 42 and extendsup to the rubber strip 45 and the outer edge of this fabric piece 48 coincides with the outer edges of the fabric and rubber layers 42 and 43. The flaps 28 and 29 are arranged over the vamp extension 27 with their inner edges substantially abutting and their outer edges coinciding respectively with the outer edges of the vamp extension as shown in F igs'. 6 and 8, and the outer edges The flaps28 and 29 arelalso adhesively secrease the stock of rubber compositionat'the l of the side fla s 28 and 29a niece i l o 7 lower em S P H between the lower end of the pocket and the of the rubber layers '43, of the sections or pouch flaps 28 and 29la-re adhesively secured to the corresponding outer edge of the vunderlying {rubber layer 38 of' the vamp extension along a width indicated at the outer side: of the dotted lines 49 in Fig. 6 sothat when thebootis vulcanized, the outer edges of the rubber layers 38and 43 are consolidated and the pocket thus thoroughly sealed along the lateral edges.

cured at their upper endsto the vamp extension 27 in like manner but over a'widei' area as indicated above the dottedline 50 in Fig, 6 to insure, adequate security and thorough sealing at this point, and atthe lower ends of the flaps 28 and 29 the rubber tabs 47 are turned under the vamp extension or back wall 27 of the pocket and adhesively secured to the under side thereof as shown in Fig. 9.

' v For reinforcing the connection of the vamp extension with the vamp of the boot and the connection of the side flaps 28 and 29 with the vamp extension 27 at the lower end of the pocket, a patch is provided which comprises a layer 51 0f fabric with a layer 52 of rubber adhesively secured thereover as shown in Fig. 5, the edges of the rubber layer being extended well beyond the fabric at all points therearound, and this patch has lateral portions thereof folded inwardly along the lines 53 (see Fig. 5) as shown in Fig. 6. This patch is adhesively secured to the lower end jof the vamp extension 27 substantially as shown inFig. 6 preferably before the side flaps 28 and 29 are secured in place, and is located so that lateral edge portions of rubber layer 38 of the vampextension are exposed at each side. thereof as shown at 54 in said figure so that theouter edges of the side flaps 28 and '29 may be secured directly to the lateral edges of thevamp extension, and when the side flaps 28 and 29 are applied, the lower ends thereof are adhesively secured to the inturned portions of the patch so that there is not only a rubber to rubber connection between the rubber layers 38 and 43 along each lateral edge of the patch but moreover the rubber layers 43 are adhesively secured to the inturned portion of the patch fabric 51 and to the exposed edge of the rubber'layer '52 thereof (see Fig. 6), thus forming an additional rubber to rubber connection between the rubber layers 43 of the exposed inner edge portion side flaps and the of the rubber layer 52 of the patch and thereby affording additional reinforcement and security against leakage at the lower end of the pocket. To further strengthen and inof rubber composition is applied as shownin Figs. 8 and9 over'the edge of thepocket with a portion-55 thereof overlying and adhesively above indicated, the interior is powdered with talcum or chalk to avoid adhesion and consolidationof the inner surfaces, and then the adjoining edges of the flaps 28 and 29 are connected by a fabric tape 58 which terminates some distance below the upper end of the pocket as indicated in Figs. 8 and14, said tape being preferably apertured along the center line overlying the juncture of the side flaps 28 and 29 so that itmay be readily divided along this line after the boot has been vulcanized. A rubber tape 59 which is somewhat wider than the fabric tape 58 is then secured over the fabric tape and extended up beyond the end of the pocket'member as 7 shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 14 and looped back and adhesively secured to the under side of the pocket as shownin Fig. 9, saidtape being carefully rolled down particularly at the upper end of the pocket so that said rubber tape, beyond the end of the fabric tape 58,

thoroughly adheres to the upper extremities of the rubber strips 45 and the turned edge portions 46 of the side flaps, 28 and 29 and fills thecrease therebetween and moreover the rubber tape at the upper extremity of the pocket is fitted firmly against the pointed upper end of the pocket, also for the purpose .of reinforcing and insuring a thorough rubber to rubber sealing of the pocket at the upper end. I

After the pocket has been prepared in this manner, it is applied in position over and adhesively secured to the lining on the last with the lowerend of the pocket, including the lower extremities of the side flaps 28 and ;29, extending over and adhering to the ramp covering 34 of rubber composition. The

pocket extends over the layer 34 of rubber composition sufficiently so that the rubber reinforcing portions 47 and 55 on the under side of the pocket overlie and are secured to the rubber vamp cover1ng34 so as to insure a rubber to rubber connection atthis. point and moreover'the extended edge portion 56 of the rubber layer of the patch 51-252'also extends over the rubber layer 34 thereby insuring a rubber to rubber contact, and after vulc'anizing the consolidatedrubber connection rubber 1ayer34 extends Well up above the lower extremities of, the side 28 andi29 and insures adequate reinforcing and a 9 has been secured to therlinin structure of Fig. 2, a stitch wheel is run close to the edge of the pocket at each side to partially out throughthe lining along the lines 60 said lines terminating substantially at the lower ends of the side flaps and also a short distance below the upper end of the pocket, so

as to divide the intermediate instep and lower leg portion of the lining along its sides from the rest of the lining and leaving the'upper and lower ends of said portion undivided from therest of the lining. Of course, the partially severed lines 60 may be provided before the pocket is applied, but we have found it preferable to place the pocket in position and then run the cutter along the edges of the pocket, using the latter as a guide to determine the position of the partial cutting. After the pocket is secured in place and the lining partially out along the lines 60 a lune shaped piece 61 of fabric corresponding 111 curvature to the pieces from which the pocket is made so as to conform to the shape of the last, is laid ov'ereach pocket flap and cemented along the inner edge to the respective flap 28 or 29, said connection being made to the rubber strip 45 thereof just beyond the edge of the fabric piece 48. The outer edge of each fabric piece 61 extends beyond the outer edge of the pocket and beyond the cut line 60 and is cemented to the liningsection 30 or 31 at the outer side of the'line 60.

The folded in portions of the reinforcing patch51-52 which project beyond the lower ends of the side flaps 28 and 29 together with the overlying portion 57 ofthe rubber reinforcing member 57 is then folded back as shown at 62 in Fig. 3. over the lower cor ner of the side flap 28 or 29 where the latter is secured to the Vamp covering 34 so as to reinforce the connection at this point against the strain of opening and closing, and it is to be noted. that when turned back in this manner, there is a rubber to rubber connection between the folded back portion and the lower corner of the respective side flap 28 or 29 and the rubber layer 34 which in the subse- 'quent vulcanization is consolidated into a unitary mass, affording a thorough and effective sealing atthis place. Moreover, the turned back portion 62 comprises a small piece of fabric between two layers of rubber and affords a substantiahstrengthening of the connection of the lower corner of the flap 28 or-29 with the boot. 7

After this is completed, the outside covering of the boot is applied, consisting preferably of two quarters such as shown in Fig. 11 which are cut away at 63 to extend down along the side of the boot as shown by dotted lines at 63 in Fig; 1 and overlap the rear edge of the vamp covering 34, which said the sole in the usual manner.

rear edge is shown by the dotted lines M64 in Fig. 1. These quarters are preferably formed as shown in Fig. 11 with a layer 65 of fabric having a layer 66 of rubber on the outer side offset as at 67 to lap above the slit tends beyond the forward edge of the fabric so as to form a rubber to rubber connection between the layers 66 and 69 and seal the edge of the fabric 65. Said layer 69 of rubber, however, does not extend entirely to the lower or rear edges of the fabric and it may also terminate well below the upper end of the quarter it being important, however, that it extend well up above the opening 21 between the side flaps 22 and 23 of the boot, the extension 70 being provided for this purpose herein. These quarters are applied at the oppositesides respectively of the boot with the edge 63 located substantially as indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 1 and the portions substantially between the oints A and B of Fig. 11 fitted together a ong the edges of the respective flaps 28 and 29 with the rubber edges of the layers 66 and 69 overlying the exposed rubber portion of the outturned corner piece 62, the turned edge 46 at the lower end of the flaps 28 and 29 and the tape 59, said quarters being lapped above ters are then rolled down on the last and secured together at the back and lasted over Then a toe covering 71 of rubber is applied which has a layer 72 of fabric of lesser area thereunder so that the edges of the rubber extend over and beyond the edges of'the fabric, said toe covering having a pointed portion 73 which fits up between the curved edges 25 and 26 of the side flaps 22 and 23 and is adhesively secured to the upper surface of the patch 5152. This toe covering has side extensions 74 which cover the lapped joint 6364 and are widened out and lapped at the back of the boot.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the pocket has a continuous unbroken rubber lining, the edges of which have a consolidated rubber to rubber connection with the rubber facing of the boot so that there is no break in the rubber covering nor exposed fabric through which water may leak or moisture enter by capillary action.

After the boot has been assembled in this manner it is vulcanized in the usual manner and after vulcanizing the facing and the pocket are loose and the front of the'boot may'now be expanded to afford free access .and removal of the foot. The fasteners 24 may be attached in any convenient manner preferably by means of tabs which are arranged in place before the boot is vulcanized or any other desired type fastener may be employed provided that it does not afford any possibility of'leakage to the interior of the boot, the'principal requirement being that the expansible portion at the ankle and instep be so constructed that it is thoroughly waterproof and possibility of leakage is avoided.

VVhile we have. shown and described our invention in a preferred form, we are aware that various changes and modifications may be .made without departing from the princi' ples of our invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

l/Ve claim as our invention: e 1. In a form fitting boot the combination of an upper with an eXpansible section for locally enlarging a portion of the upper, said expansible section including a pair of separable instep flaps havingtheir upper ends joined together at a distance below the top of the boot and a pocket member under and closing the opening between said flaps, the wall of the upper having a continuous uninterrupted. layer of rubber composition surrounding said expansible section and said expansible section having a layer of rubber composition similar to and of substantially the same thickness as and having a continuous uninterrupted rubber to rubber connection therearound with the first mentioned layer of rubber composition.

In a boot of the class described the combination of an upper with an'expansible section for locally enlarging a portion of the upper, said expansible section incl-udinga pair of separable instep flaps having their upper ends joined together at a distance be low the top of the boot and a pocket member under and closing the opening between said flaps,'the wall of the upper consisting of layers of fabric and rubber composition the latter of which layers surrounds the said eX- pansible section and said eXpansible section comprising superposed layers of fabric and rubber composition the latter of which has a continuous uninterrupted rubber to. rubber connection therearound with the layer of rubber composition of the upper wal 3. In a boot of the class described the com: bination of an upper with an expansible sec tion for locally enlarging a portion of the upper, said expansible section including a pair of separable instep flaps having their upper ends joined together at a distance below the top of the boot and a pocket member under and closing the opening between said flaps, the wall of the upper comprising a layerof fabric between two layers of rubber composition, both of which latter layers surround the expansible section, said eiipansible section comprising an inner layer of fabric and an outer layer of rubber composition the latter of which has a continuous uninterrupted rubber to rubber connection therearound with the aforesaid two layers of rubber composition of the upper wall.

4. Ina boot of the class described the combination of an upper having a pair of sepa- 1 rable flaps along the ankle and instep portion of the boot, the lower ends of said flaps being flared and the upperends joined together at a distance below the top of the boot, a pocket member under the flaps having a back wall forming a continuation of the vamp of the boot and a divided front wall comprising two portions conforming to and underlying and having their inner edges secured to the inner edges of the respective of separable flaps joined together at a dis- 2' tance below thetopof the boot, a pocket f member under the flaps for closing the opening therebetween and comprising an elongated fabric rei nforcedback Wall with a layer of rubber composition covering the front thereof, a divided front wall for the pocket having separable lateral portions with a layer of rubber on the under side, said layers of rubber composition of said lateral portions of the pocket front wall being consolidated along their outer lateral edges withthe respective outer lateral edges of the layer of rubber composition of the pocket back Wall, and a layer of rubber composition forming a part of the upper and surrounding the open ing between the aforesaid separable flaps and having a continuous unbroken rubber to rubber connection around said opening with the back and front wall layers of rubber composition of the pocket. v

6. In a boot of the class described the com bination of an upper with an expans'ible section over-the instep and having the upperend terminating at a d stancebelow the topof the boot;'s aid ex anses sectionhaving one end thereofinterposed b tween aria consol date into a unitary mass entree isyrserrattr composition.

7. n a boot. of t e-ease described-the tom a divided front wall affording inwardly e22 and-ing porti ns having the inner ed es embracing the lower extremities of t thereof secured to the corresponding I edges of the instep flaps, portions of the upper and lower ends of the pocket member being interposed between and consolidated into a uni? tary mass with two layers of rubber composition. l V r 8. In a boot of the class described-the combination of an upper with a pair ofseparable instep flaps flared at their lower ends and having their upper ends joined together at a distance below the top of theboot, an elongated pocket memberclosing the opening between said flaps and having a front wall con. prising apair of inwardly extending portions theinner edgesof Which are secured to the corresponding edges of the aforesaid instep flaps with an integral rubber composition sealing connection therebetween, an integralmass of rubber composition sealing the upper end of the pocket, andv aplurality of layers of rubber composition having the lower end of the pocket member interposed therebetween and consolidated therewith.

9. In a boot of-the class described the combination. of an upper with a pair of separable instep flaps flared attheirlower ends and havingltheir upper ends joined together at a distance below the top. of the boot, an elongated pocket member closing the opening between said flaps and having a front wall co-mprisinga pair of inwardly extending portions the inner edges of which are secured to the corresponding edges ofthe aforesaidinstep fiapswith an integral rubber composition sealing connection therebetween, a reinforcing of fabric andfrubber composition he aforesaid portions of the pocket front wall at the juncture thereof with the back wall of the )ocket' and two la ers of rubber com )osition V forming a part of the boot upper at the lower end of theipocket and having the aforesaid reinforcing interposed therebetween and consolidated therewith.

10. In a boot of the class described the combination of an uppercomprising a lining, a toe covering of rubber composition on the lining, a pocket member having a back wall and a front wall with'inwardly extending separable side portions overlyingthe back wall and flared at their lower ends, said pocket member having the lowerend overlapping the aforesaidltoe covering, and a facing of rubber composition overlying the pocketiiand having-separable portions. secured along-their edges to the inner edges of the separable side portions ofthe front wall of the pocket member.

11. The method of makinga waterproof form-fitting .rubber boot .Iwhich comprises providing a pocketmember"witha divided front wall composed of. separable fside. portions andta lining of rubber composition, building the pocket .memberin the front wall of the eatat th ester ear y-t e es of rubber composition onthe front Wall of the boot, and consolidating a continuous portion of said facing around the pocket with the pocket lining.

12. In a rubber boot of the class described, the combination of an upper having an opening at the front closed at the upper end'and said closed upper end of the opening being located at a distance below the top of the boot, an elongated pocket member under and closing said opening and having rubber composition front and back walls with their interior facesjoined together along the outer edges ofthe pocket member to form a flat joint, said front wall of the pocket member comprising laterally separable portions which underlie and are joined along their innor edges to theupper at the respective sides of its opening, and cooperating fastening means on the front wall at opposite sides of the openlng.

l3. Ina rubber boot. of the class described, the combination of an upper having an opening at the front closed at the upper end and forming apair of separable flaps the upper ends of which are joined together at a distance below the top of the boot, an elongated pocket member under and closing said opening and having rubber composition front and back walls both diminishing in width toward their upper and lower ends and with their interior faces joined together along the lateral edges and at'their upper ends to form a flat joint, said front wall of the pocket member' comprising laterally separable portions which underlie and are joined along their inner edges tothe respective flaps of the upper, and fastening means for connecting said separable flaps.

14:. In a rubber boot of the class described, the combination of an upper having a pair of separable instep flaps the upper ends of which are joined together at a distance below the top of the boot, and an elongated expansible pocket member under and closing the opening between said flaps and having rubber composition front and back walls, the front wall of which comprises laterally separable portions, a mass of rubber composition on the outer side of and along the inner edgeof each of said separable portions and consolidated with the overlying instep flaps, and two. overlying layers of fabric extending laterally from eachrubber mass, one of said layersbeing secured to the outer side of the front wall of the pocket and the other layer being secured to the inner side ofthe upper.

15. In arubber boot of the class described, the combination'of an upperhaving a pair ofseparable instep flaps the upper ends of which are joined together at a distance below front wall-of which comprises laterally separable portions eachhaving a layer of fabric on the frontface and rubber composition extending along and. interposed between the inner edge of each layer of fabric and the opening between said separable portions for their inner edges to the respective instep flaps,

two superposed layers of fabric between each of said laterally separable portions and the boot upper andsecured respectively thereto, and rubber composition extending along and interposed between the inner marginal portions of said superposed layers and theopening between'the said separable portions.

17. In a rubber boot of the class described, the combinationof anupperhaving a pair of separable instep flaps the upper ends of which are joined together at a distance below the top of the boot, and'an elongated laterally expansible pocket member under and closing the opening between said flaps and having rubber composition front and back walls, the front Wall of which comprises laterally separable portions at opposlte sides respectively of the aforesaid opening, said upper comprising a layer of fabric having an outer facing of rubber composition and a layer of rubber composition on the inner side and -the'latter layer having a continuous rubber-t rubber connection with the aforesaid pocket front wall, along each-sideand whicha're joined together at a distance below the top of the boot, and an elongated laterally expansiblepocket member under and closing the opening between said flaps and having rubber compositionfront and back Walls, the front wall of which comprises laterally separable portions at opposite sides respectively of the aforesaid opening, said upper comprising a layer of fabric with a layer of rubber composition on the outer side and extending to the top of the boot, a layer of rubber on the inner side of said fabric and terminating a substantial distance below the top of the boot, said latter layer of rubber composition having a continuous rubber-torubber connection with the-aforesaid pocket 5 front Wall alongeach side of and across the top of the opening between the instep fiaps, and

a fabric lining-onthe inner side of the latter. layer of rubber composition.

v 19. In a rubber boot ofthe class described, the combination of an upper having a pair of separable instep flaps the upper ends of which are oined together at a distance below v the top of the boot, andan elongated laterally expansible pocket member under and closing the opening between said flaps andhaving rubber composition front and back walls, the front wall of which comprises laterally separable portions at opposite sides respectively of the aforesaid opening, said upper comprising a layer of fabric having an outer facing of rubber compositionand a layerof rubber composition on the innerside and the latter layer having a continuous rubber-torubber connection withthe aforesaid pocket front wall and said facing of rubber composition along each side and across the top of the opening between the instep flaps.

20. In a rubber boot of the class described, the combination of a boot wall comprising quarters which are joined together partway down the front and separable therebelow to provide an expansiveopening alongthe instep, an elongated laterally expansible pocket member within the boot and closing saidexpansive .openingand having rubber composition front and backwalls', the front wall of which comprises laterallyseparable portions. at opposite sides respectively of the aforesaid opening, said quarters having a layer of rubber composition having a continuous rubber to-rubber connection with the aforesaid pocket front wall along each side and across the top of said expansion openingfand a toe covering comprising a layer ofrubber composition having a rubber-tO-rubber connec tion with the quarter at each side of the pocket member, and a rubber-to-rubber connection with the lower end of the pocket member.

- 21. In the making of a rubber boot of the class described, the forming-of a pocket member by placing layers of rubber composition in superposed relation, adhesively connecting the inner facesthereofalong laterally spaced oppositely converging lines, and subsequently consolidating said adhesively connected portions byvulcanization; v

22; In the making of a rubber boot of the class described, the forming of apocketmem berof elongated substantially ellipticalfront and back walls ofrubber composition, then arranglng sa dwa-lls 1n superposed relation, then adheslvely oinlng the in'ner facesof said walls along their lateral edgesand at the top, and subsequently consolidatingjsaid adhesively connected portions by vulcanization.- Vi

23. The method of making a rubber boot of the class, described which includes assembling on a last a boot lining-with anrinstep pocket member which is closed at the upper end, then applying quarters of fabric reinforced, rubber composition over the lining with corresponding edge portionsextending over and secured to the pocket member there of in substantially abutting relation and other edge portions thereof joined together at and above the upper end of the pocket member, then vulcanizing the assembled structure and slitting the front of the pocket between the substantially abutting edges of the quarters. v

24. The method of making a rubber boot of the class described which includes assembling on a last a boot lining with an instep pocket member which is closed at the upper end, then applying quarters of fabric reinforced rubber compositionhavinga layer of rubber composition on the inner side, over the lining with corresponding edge portions of the quarters extending over the pocket in substantially abutting relation and the said layer of rubber composition adhesively secured tothe front of the pocket and other edge portions of the quarters oined together at and above the upper end ofthe pocket member, then 'vulcanizing the assembledstruc'ture and'slittingthe front of the pocket between thesubstantially abutting edges of the quarters. r

- 25. The method of making'a rubber boot of the class described which-includes assembling on a last a boot lining with an instep pocket member which is closed'at the upper end, then applying quarters of fabric reinforced rubber' composition over the lining with corresponding edge portions thereof extending over and secured to the pocket member in substantially abutting relation and other edge portions thereof joined-together atand above the upper end of the pocket member, then adhes'ively applying a toe cover of rubber composition over the toe portionof the lin-.

ing to overlap the sides of the quarters and the lower end of the pocket member, then vulcanizing the assembled structure and slittingthe front of the pocket between the substantially abutting edges of the quarters.

26. The method-of making a form fitting rubber boot which includes forming the boot lining with an elongated instep and lower legportion thereof divided along the sides from the rest of the liningand integral there with at the upper and lower ends,.adhesi'vely applyingan elongated pocket member on said port-ion ofthe boot lining, assemblying boot wall quarters on the lining with forward edge portions thereof brought close together a on the pocket member substantially midway between the lateral edges of said instep and lower leg portion, and other forward edge portions ofI-said "quarters" joined' together above the upper end of the pocket member, vulcanizingt-he assembled structure,-'and after-vulcanizing slitting the structure at the 27. The method of making a form fitting rubber boot which includes forming a boot lining with an elongated instep and lower leg portion thereofdivided along the -sides from the rest of the lining and integral therewith at the upper and lower ends, adhesively securing on the outer side of said portion an elongated pocket member with front and back walls of rubber composition secured together along their lateral edges and at their upper ends and with fabric overlying and secured to the front wall inwardly from the lateral edges of the pocket member and also secured to the boot lining beyond the lateral edges of the aforesaid instepand lower leg portion of the boot lining, then applying on the lining and adhesively securing thereto quarters of boot wall material-with portions along the forward edges of saidquarters extended over and adhesively secured to the front wall of the pocket member and with other portions along the forward edges of said quartersjoined together at and above the upper'end of the pocket member, then vulcanizing the assembled structure, and then dividing the structure at the front of the pocketmember between the upper and lower ends of the pocket member and substantially midway between the lateral edges thereof.

28'. In a rubber boot of the class described, the combination of an upper having an opening at'the front, closed at the upper end and said closed upper end of the opening being ata distance below the top of the boot, an elongated pocket member under and closing said opening an dhaving rubber composition back and front walls joined together along their lateral edges and at their upper ends, said pocket being secured to the upper around said opening and being of maximum width substantially at the upper end of the instep portion of theboot and tapered in width upwardly therefrom to the upper closed end of the opening, and said pocket member and opening being extended downwardly along theinstep portion of the boot substantially to the lower end of said instep portion. V

GEORGE L. VAN DINTER. CONRAD FERRETTIE.

front 'of' the pocket and between the ends 7 thereof.- 

